Architect

HTA Landscape Design

Type of Area

Sea

Land/water interaction

Sandy beach
Promenade

Built Environment Types

Highly built
Low green

Scale of Impact

Block
District/neighbourhood
City

Intervention Scale (Spatial)

Linear development – multiple interventions

Project Types

Outdoor recreation
Seafront development
Urban design

Urban/ Rural

Inner urban area

Visibility and Openness

Fully open
Full horizon

Reclaiming the promenade

This shorefront project formed part of Bexhill-on-Sea’s urban renewal and development plan. The nearly 1km of English Channel shorefront was transformed into a diverse linear parkland by simple but colourful planting of salt resistant plants interspersed with seating, children’s play features and shelters designed in an RIBA competition. This development connects the shorefront  to the popular De la Warr, Art Deco pavilion, which has been restored and is now used as a contemporary art centre.

HTA Landscape, together with the architects Stanton Williams and engineers Alan Baxter Associates, took the unusual step of not submitting designs for the development but a planned process. This process consisted of consulting Bexhill-on-Sea inhabitants to ask them what was needed and from this arose the designs for the project. The development has transformed a neglected grass border into a more interactive and visually interesting space. 

Savings were made by paving over the previous promenade and integrating a low irrigation planting strategy that incorporates plants with diverse textures and varied colours which are suitable for the coastal environment. The planting focused on a summertime display only, as this is the time of greatest use for the promenade. A water feature provides entertainment at the refurbished Colonnade, another listed building on the shorefront, and this now provides space for refreshments and a refurbished coastal office. 

Timber and concrete has been used extensively throughout the project to provide seating and shelters for people and the plants. Timber play elements have also been interspersed along the lawn, such as balance bars, wobble boards and so on. Previous seating has been incorporated into the new design and additional flexible seating provided, including along the low walls that provide terraces for some of the planting. Visitors therefore have plenty of space to enjoy the view and eat their picnics. The site promotes various activities such as swimming, walking, jogging, playing, sitting, eating, socialising, contemplating etc. Short-term parking is provided that also serves as an informal gathering point for surfers.